Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, referring back to my Member’s statement, the NWT driver's licence, as I see it, is an important piece of identification that in these days of increased security is being more and more criticized for authenticity. Therefore, it demands quality, safety and security around our country with those needs in mind. That is why national standards need to be developed.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister of Transportation what is his department’s involvement, if any, in a discussion to develop a national standard for driver’s licences? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 130-15(3): National Standards For Drivers’ Licences

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, our department, along with all North American jurisdictions, is participating with the Canadian Council on Motor Transport Administrators and also the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators to develop new acceptable standards. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 130-15(3): National Standards For Drivers’ Licences

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Minister, for your answer. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell us what the process and timelines will be for the approval and implementation of a new national standard for drivers’ licences? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 130-15(3): National Standards For Drivers’ Licences

Mr. Speaker, our current driver's licence was developed 15 years ago. We are reviewing it now with our partners. Currently it is still acceptable as a driver's licence, and that’s what it was intended for. We do not have timelines at this point. We are reviewing it, and we also are doing a needs analysis of whether we should be changing it and that will come in due course. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 130-15(3): National Standards For Drivers’ Licences

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Can the Minister give us some examples of what kinds of new standards and requirements are likely to come forward as recommendations to be adopted for a new standard of driver’s licence? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 130-15(3): National Standards For Drivers' Licences

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have that at this current moment. We have hired a contractor to provide a needs analysis to give us what we need in terms of a new driver’s licence and what it should entail. We are looking at a digital type of driver’s licence. However, our current driver’s licence is still acceptable in Canada and if there is any outside requirement for this document to be used as identification, then we have problems. However, then maybe we should be looking at a passport instead of trying to use our driver’s licence. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 130-15(3): National Standards For Drivers’ Licences

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. Mr. Speaker, even as I look down at my own driver’s licence right in front of me, I can see imperfections that need addressing immediately. I see a photo that covers the word “driver” so it reads “river’s licence.” I see shades, contrasts and background symbols that make it very difficult to read my home address. Mr. Speaker, this picture ID doesn’t even have the word Canada on it. So for NWT residents travelling outside of Canada, they may be accused of having a fake ID. So maybe the Department of Transportation should be issuing maps because they are trying to explain where the Northwest Territories is to some Americans who don’t even know where Canada is.

Whoa!

Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be willing to consider making these adjustments I have noted to our territorial driver’s licence? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of Transportation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 130-15(3): National Standards For Drivers’ Licences

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t what we can do about his current photo.

---Laughter

However, I have indicated that we are reviewing it and it is something that is a concern. We take it seriously and we have a contractor who is looking at this whole issue and will report back to the House as soon as we have those documents. Thank you.

---Applause